Memphis running back Darrell Henderson (left) runs past the UConn defender Kevon Jones (right) on his way to a touchdown during action in Memphis, Tenn., Saturday, October 6, 2018. Mark Weber, The Commercial Appeal

Memphis running back Darrell Henderson (right) breaks away from UCF defender Tre Neal (left) leading to a touchdown during second quarter action of the the AAC Championship football game in Orlando, Fl., Saturday, December 2, 2017.(Photo11: Mark Weber/The Commercial Appeal)Buy Photo

Let’s preface this with one firm statement: If you’re a Memphis football fan, you should be at the Liberty Bowl Saturday afternoon rooting for the Tigers.

Games like these, when No. 9 UCF comes to town with its 18-game win streak for a rematch of last year’s spectacular American Athletic Conference championship game, just don’t happen often. In fact, it’s the first time the Tigers have hosted a top-10 team since 2009, when No. 8 Ole Miss opened the season here.

But you know who shouldn’t be rooting for Memphis Saturday? Anybody else affiliated with the AAC.

Because if the Tigers were to pull off an upset and end that UCF win streak, it could cost the league millions.

CLOSE

Memphis coach Mike Norvell on UCF and what's different about them this year from last year.
Evan Barnes, The Commercial Appeal

Because then UCF wouldn’t be a top-10 team anymore and would no longer have a slim chance of making the College Football Playoff.

Because this rigged system orchestrated by the Power Five conferences wouldn’t even have to be rigged the rest of the year.

Because with the AAC in the middle of negotiations over its next media rights deal, UCF’s winning streak, its win over Auburn in last year’s Peach Bowl and the national championship publicity campaign that followed are the best things to ever happen to this league.

Don’t take my word for it. Just listen to AAC commissioner Mike Aresco.

“It has raised the profile of the league enormously and I think it shed light on us,” Aresco said. “It’s always important to have that one or two teams that really stand out. People kind of judge you by your best teams and there’s no question that UCF has generated a lot of exposure and attention to the league. They’ve become a brand nationally and they’ve helped the league become a brand nationally.”

Aresco insisted he’s neutral in all this and just wants to see another great game Saturday.

Remember, Memphis has a lot at stake as well this week considering its dreams of reaching another AAC championship game would go from challenging to unlikely with a third conference loss.

CLOSE

Memphis linebacker Curtis Akins left the UConn game just after halftime to witness the birth of his first child
Evan Barnes, The Commercial Appeal

But Aresco also knows better than anyone, as a former CBS and ESPN executive, that UCF’s undefeated run and the expiration of the AAC’s current media rights deal in July 2020 is a coincidence that could potentially fill the coffers of every league member.

According to the website Sports Media Watch, the three games involving AAC teams last year that generated the highest television ratings were UCF-Auburn (4.6), UCF-USF (2.7) and UCF-Memphis in the AAC championship game (2.3).

What’s the common denominator? Interest, and curiosity, in UCF’s undefeated record.

Now what do you think happens if, for instance, UCF enters November again with an unblemished record and another debate ensues about its potential inclusion in college football's playoff?

Sure, there are two other AAC teams off to undefeated starts (USF and Cincinnati). But neither has the collateral and clout that UCF has after winning two New Year’s Six bowl games since 2014.

It’s the sort of leverage that simply didn’t exist when the league agreed to a seven-year, $126-million television contract with ESPN six years ago.

“The timing is very good,” said Aresco, who otherwise declined to comment on any ongoing negotiations.

American Athletic Conference Commissioner Mike Aresco addresses reporters at the league's annual football media day Tuesday in Newport, Rhode Island.(Photo11: The Enquirer/Tom Groeschen)

Now what happens to those late-season TV ratings if, for instance, there is no undefeated AAC team to attract the casual college football fan? It’s an answer that could potentially be worth millions of dollars to the league and, quite frankly, the University of Memphis athletic department.

So yes, you should be rooting for Memphis Saturday if you’re a Tiger football fan. You should wear blue to the Liberty Bowl and hope the home team can reignite a season that began with high expectations by snapping the longest current winning streak in college football.

But you should also be aware that everybody else who cares about AAC football shouldn’t be.